PUTRAJAYA has, in principle, agreed for Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to negotiate with a FIFA-appointed agent to obtain broadcasting rights for the 2022 World Cup, said the communications and multimedia minister.

Annuar Musa said the decision regarding the negotiations will be known soon.

“We need a little more time to finalise (the negotiations), but surely RTM will be one of the channels that will air the 2022 World Cup,” he said when asked about developments in obtaining the broadcasting rights for the football tournament.

On media access for parties contesting in the upcoming Johor polls, Annuar said the government has agreed to use the model in the Malacca and Sarawak elections.

Improvements will be made so candidates can use RTM-provided channels as a medium to introduce themselves, he added.

“The government agrees to allow its radio and television channels to give space to assist the candidates in an appropriate manner, just like in the Malacca and Sarawak elections.

“As they are state elections, we cannot fully utilise television air time as television broadcasting is national broadcast… radio, however, is localised broadcasting, and this can be further enhanced to provide space for the candidates.”

The Election Commission is expected to announce the polling day after holding a meeting on February 9. – Bernama, January 31, 2022.